In the conclusion of "Notes of a Native Son," Baldwin asserts that one must choose between hatred and acceptance.
Following his father's death, Baldwin experienced an epiphany: he finally grasped the significance behind his father's long-held beliefs. He concludes that harboring bitterness and choosing to hate is unwise: "But I recognized this bitterness was folly, as my father would have remarked. It was crucial to cling to what truly mattered."
He goes on to highlight two mindsets a person can adopt: total acceptance or rejection. Total acceptance equates to conformity, normalizing injustice and leading a life where it seems that change is impossible. Conversely, non-acceptance means actively resisting and not taking injustice for granted.
However, this struggle must be free from hatred, as hatred also harms the hater. Baldwin states, "It is now my responsibility to keep my heart free from hatred and despair." No one else could make that choice for him. Regardless of how contradictory these ideas may seem, he opted for acceptance without hatred.
